A high school implemented a peer tutoring program pairing upperclassmen with underclassmen for academic support. After one semester, administrators co...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
A high school implemented a peer tutoring program pairing upperclassmen with underclassmen for academic support. After one semester, administrators conducted interviews with participants. The administrators concluded that the program successfully fostered meaningful connections between students from different grade levels who had previously interacted very little.
Which quotation from a participant interview would best illustrate the administrators' conclusion?
One senior reflected that working with younger students led her to seek advice from underclassmen about courses she was considering, while those students became curious about advanced placement opportunities.
A junior mentioned that the tutoring sessions helped him understand his own learning style better.
A sophomore noted that having a tutor available made her feel more confident about completing difficult assignments.
A senior explained that participating in the program gave him valuable leadership experience for college applications.
SAT Solution
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "A high school implemented a peer tutoring program pairing upperclassmen with underclassmen for academic support." |
|
| "After one semester, administrators conducted interviews with participants." |
|
| "The administrators concluded that the program successfully fostered meaningful connections between students from different grade levels who had previously interacted very little." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A high school's peer tutoring program successfully created meaningful relationships between students from different grade levels who hadn't interacted much before.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a straightforward sequence: a program was implemented, data was collected through interviews, and administrators reached a positive conclusion about the program's effectiveness in building cross-grade student connections.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which participant quote would best illustrate the administrators' specific conclusion.
What type of answer do we need? Evidence that demonstrates meaningful connections between different grade levels who previously didn't interact much.
Any limiting keywords? "Best illustrate" means we need the strongest, most direct example of the administrators' conclusion.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The administrators concluded two specific things: (1) the program fostered meaningful connections, and (2) these were between students from different grade levels who previously interacted very little
- The right answer should show evidence of actual interaction or connection between students from different grades
- Some indication that this connection is meaningful or substantial
- Ideally, some suggestion that these students didn't interact much before
One senior reflected that working with younger students led her to seek advice from underclassmen about courses she was considering, while those students became curious about advanced placement opportunities.
✓ Correct
- Shows mutual interaction where a senior seeks advice from underclassmen about courses while those same underclassmen become curious about AP opportunities
- Demonstrates meaningful connection beyond the original tutoring setup
A junior mentioned that the tutoring sessions helped him understand his own learning style better.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on individual self-discovery about learning style
- Shows personal benefit but no evidence of connections between different grade levels
A sophomore noted that having a tutor available made her feel more confident about completing difficult assignments.
✗ Incorrect
- Describes individual confidence boost from having tutor support
- About personal academic benefit rather than meaningful connections between grade levels
A senior explained that participating in the program gave him valuable leadership experience for college applications.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on individual leadership experience for college applications
- Personal benefit rather than evidence of meaningful connections with other grade levels